Negative electrode materials for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries and said batteries employing the same materials

ABSTRACT

A material of the negative electrode for the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises solid phases A and B. A core is formed by the solid phase A of which lithium absorption and desorption amount resulted from charge and discharge is relatively large. The core is partially or entirely wrapped with the solid phase B of which lithium absorption and disorption amount resulted from charge and discharge is not so much as the solid phase A, however, of which discharge capacity decrease a little resulted from cycles. The solid phase A comprises one of the following materials; lithium, at least one of the elements which is able to alloy with lithium, solid solution including at least one of the above elements being able to alloy with lithium, or an intermetallic compound including at least one of the above elements being able to alloy with lithium. The solid phase B has a different composition, but comprises the same kind of materials except lithium by itself as those of the solid phase A. It is essential that the solid phase B is a mixed conductor having electronic conductivity as well as lithium ionic conductivity. When these materials are used in the negative electrode, the non-aqueous electrolyte second battery featuring a high reliability in the safety aspect, high cycle characteristic, a high capacity and excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristic can be realized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries employing organic electrolyte, solid polymer electrolyte or the like, and more particularly to negative electrode materials thereof featuring a high capacity, high reliability for the safety aspect, a little decrease of discharge capacity resulting from cycles, and excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A lithium battery employing lithium as negative active material, in general, generates high electromotive force and can be high energy density. The lithium batteries thus employ various positive active materials combined with the negative active material, and are commercialized to be battery systems, thereby reducing dimensions as well as weights of cordless and portable products.

A lot of effort made both for R&D and commercializing of the lithium batteries is not only for the primary battery, i.e., the battery should be replaced after discharging, but also for the secondary battery, i.e., the battery can be repeatedly used by recharging.

Lithium reacts with water excitedly, and produces hydrogen. Thus, the electrolyte of the lithium batteries employs non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g., 1) organic electrolyte made of dehydrated aprotic organic solvent dissolving lithium salt, and 2) solid polymer electrolyte. The lithium batteries are thus sometimes called non-aqueous electrolyte primary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

As a positive active material of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, transition metal element oxides including vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), titanium disulfide (TiS2), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and chalcogenide were examined at first; however, recently, lithium contained transition metal element oxides of which transition metal element is partially replaced with another element have been examined. The oxides of lithium contained transition metal element such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4 which are double oxides of lithium and cobalt, lithium and nickel, and lithium and manganese. These double oxides repeat desorption and absorption of lithium ion by charge and discharge, whereby excellent cycle life characteristics can be obtained. The chalcogenide, one of the lithium contained transition metal element, is also examined besides these double oxides.

On the other hand, regarding the negative electrode materials, metal lithium which is active material could be the most desirable material from the standpoint of energy density provided it can be used as it is, because an electric potential would be least-noble. However, when this secondary battery is charged, active dendrite or mossy crystal having a large specific surface area deposits on the negative electrode surface, and the crystals thereof react with the solvent in the electrolyte, whereby being deactivated with ease, which lowers the capacity of the battery rapidly, and therefore, a larger quantity of metal lithium must be pre-filled in the negative electrode. Further, the deposited dendrite might penetrate the separator and cause an internal short circuit. These problems shorten the cycle life and affect the product safety.

In order to prevent the dendrite from occurring when the battery is charged, the following materials were tested as a negative electrode material: Li--Al alloy, alloy of Li and Wood's metal which is fusible alloy. When one of these metals which can be alloyed with lithium or such an alloy which contains at least one of these metals is employed as a negative electrode material, the battery indicates a relatively higher capacity at an initial charge and discharge cycle.

However, alloying with lithium and lithium elimination are repeated due to charge and discharge, and thus, a phase of the crystal is sometimes changed although a crystal structure of an original skeletal alloy is still maintained, or the crystal structure per se may be changed into a different one from the original skeletal alloy. In such a case, particles of the metal or the alloy, i.e., a host material of lithium which is an active material repeats swelling and shrinking. Along with the progress of charge and discharge cycles, a crystal particle of the metal or the alloy gets cracks, and the particle's fineness progresses finer and finer. Due to this phenomenon, an ohmic resistance between the negative electrode materials increases, and a resistance polarization grows during charge and discharge. As a result, these materials were proved not to satisfy a cycle life characteristic necessary for a practical use.

In recent years, a carbon material such as graphite is employed as a host material of the negative electrode, because such a carbon material is able to absorb and desorb lithium ion by charge and discharge. The carbon material as a negative electrode material, the lithium contained cobalt oxide as a positive electrode material and organic electrolyte are combined to make a system called lithium-ion secondary battery, which is now available in the market.

Further, in order to increase a negative electrode capacity, it is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. H07-315822 that a compound of a host material comprising graphitized carbon material and a material, e.g., silicon mixed product incorporated with the host material be employed as a negative electrode material. This laid open application teaches that the battery employing the proposed material has the higher capacity and the longer cycle life than those of the battery which employs silicon alone as a host material of he negative electrode. However, it seems that there is a poor chemical bonding force between silicon and carbon, whereby dimensional swelling of silicon due to absorbing lithium therein cannot be suppressed completely by the carbon around the silicon. As a result, a satisfactory cycle life is not realized.

Other materials are also proposed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. below in order to achieve a high capacity and a long cycle life:

H05-159780: Iron silicide, e.g., Fe2Si3, FeSi, FeSi2

H07-240201: transition element and nonferrous metal silicide,

H09-63651: a host material comprising an intermetallic compound including at least one of 4B element, P or Sb and having one of a crystal structure of CaF2 type, ZnS type or AlLiSi type.

The above materials absorb lithium into crystal lattice thereof by charging, and desorb lithium by discharging. Repeated charge and discharge neither swells nor shrinks the skeletal crystal extensively, and fineness of the crystal particles progresses little. An excellent cycle characteristic thus can be expected.

And yet, the lithium quantity absorbed and desorbed into/from the crystal lattice is limited, those materials thus can not meet the request of the higher capacity, which still remains a problem.

A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as a power supply of an apparatus is required the following features: 1. High capacity, 2. Long cycle life, 3. Chargeable/dischargeable with a high rate. In other words, if a negative electrode material has an extraordinary high capacity but has poor charge and discharge characteristics, it is impossible to reduce both size and weight of the power supply for some applications.

In the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, an electrochemical activity of the particle surface of the negative electrode material is a key factor for improving the charge and discharge characteristics. For instance, in the negative electrode material comprising silicon as a host material, silicon has an advantage such as absorbing and desorbing a lot of lithium during charge-transfer reaction under high-rate charge and discharge. On the other hand, when one of suicides described previously is employed as the negative electrode material, an excellent cycle characteristic can be expected because of superior oxidation and reduction reaction during the charge and discharge according to the function of a mixed conductor for electrons and lithium ions. However, this material has an inferior characteristic of high-rate charge and discharge due to relatively smaller power of absorbing and desorbing lithium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the material features high reliability from the safety view of point, high capacity, less decreasing of discharge capacity due to cycles, and excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.

The present invention covers a composite particle comprises the following elements:

(a) a core formed by solid phase A, and

(b) solid phase B wrapping the core entirely or partially.

The solid phase A comprises one of the following elements:

(a-1) lithium,

(a-2) at least one element which is able to alloy with lithium,

(a-3) solid solution including an element which is able to alloy with lithium, or

(a-4) intermetallic compound including an element which is able to alloy with lithium.

The solid phase B has a different composition from the solid phase A, and comprises one of the following elements (b-1) or (b-2):

(b-1) solid solution including (b-3)

(b-2) intermetallic compound including (b-3)

(b-3) at least one element which can alloy with lithium.

The composite particle combining the solid phases A and B is employed as the negative electrode material of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, thereby realizing the battery which meets the requests such as ensuring, a) safety reliability, b) higher capacity, c) less decreasing of discharge capacity due to cycles, and d) excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.

To be more specific, the negative electrode material according to the present invention is realized by the following elements: The composite particle comprises the solid phase A and solid phase B, where the solid phase A is formed by at least one of the elements below, or either solid solution or an intermetallic compound, each of them including at least one of the elements below:

zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth, all of these elements being able to alloy with lithium,

and where the solid phase B is formed by solid solution or intermetallic compound, either one including at least one element selected from alkaline-earth metal elements and transition metal elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a coin type test cell for evaluating charge and discharge efficiency and electrochemical characteristics of negative electrode materials of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of a cylindrical cell utilized in an exemplary embodiment of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a negative electrode which employs the material of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are detailed by referring to the attached drawings and tables.

[Embodiment 1]

(1) Preparing powder for the negative electrode material

First, 1) prepare metal lithium and granular element being able to alloy with lithium at a predetermined ratio in an alumina crucible, second, 2) heat the above sample up to an appropriate melting temperature in an electric furnace under dry argon atmosphere, and keep the temperature for one hour, then 3) cool the melted sample down to the room temperature, finally 4) crush the solidified ingot into powder of which each particle size is not more than 150 μm.

(2) Analyzing the section of the prepared powder

First, 1) put the prepared powder into epoxy resin to which curing agent is added, second, 2) knead this sample to disperse the powder, then, 3) de-air substantially and cure the sample, and 4) wrap the sample with epoxy resin, after that, 5) slice the epoxy block in which the prepared powder disperses with a saw in a glove box under dry argon atmosphere, then, 6) polish the section of the sliced block, finally, 7) analyze the polished section with an electronic probe micro analysis (EPMA) method by using JXA-8600MX manufactured by Japan Electronic Co., Ltd.

(3) Measuring an electronic conductivity of the sample powder

Put 3.0 g sample powder into a plastic cylinder whose inner diameter is 25 mm. Apply pressure of 408 kg f·cm⁻² to the sample powder. The plastic cylinder has metallic dies fit into both ends of the cylinder. Insert a metal rod into the cylinder, and measure an ohmic resistance value between the metal dies, (the sample powder is sandwiched between the metal dies,) with LORESTA-SP (MCP-T500) made by Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Ltd., and then find the electronic conductivity from the ohmic resistance.

(4) Measuring an ionic conductivity of the sample powder

Put 3.0 g sample powder into a plastic cylinder of which inner diameter is 10 mm, and apply pressure of 2546 kg·cm⁻² to the powder to mold pellets. The pellet is covered on its both end faces by glassy solid electrolyte, of which thickness is ca. 1.0 mm, and expressed as 0.01 Li3PO4+0.63 Li2S+0.36 SiS2. The glossy solid electrolyte has lithium ionic conductivity. Further, cover the outside of the pellet with metal lithium of approx. 1 mm thickness. Then apply pressure of 5093 kgf·cm⁻² to both faces of the pellet, and measure resistance value with an AC impedance measuring device made by Solartron Co., Ltd. in the U.K. , finally find the lithium ionic conductivity from the measured resistance value.

(5) Evaluating a charge and discharge characteristics of the negative electrode material

Produce a coin type test cell specified as R2016 size (.O slashed. 20.0 mm, 1.6 mm overall height) as illustrated in FIG. 1, then measure electrochemical characteristics including charge and discharge capacity, etc. of the negative electrode material for evaluation.

In FIG. 1, a cell case 1 and a cover 2 both made of stainless steel are sealed gas-tightly and liquid-tightly via a gasket 7 made from polypropylene. A negative material mold electrode 5 is molded with a current collector 3 into one body, meanwhile, the current collector 3 is made of stainless steel expanded metal and welded to an inner bottom face of the cell case 1. A disk-type metal lithium electrode 4 is press fit to an inner face of the cover 2. The negative material mold electrode 5 is separated from the metal lithium electrode 4 by a separator 6 made of microporous polypropylene membrane. Organic electrolyte impregnates between the electrodes and into the negative material mold electrode 5 as well as the separator 6.

The negative material mold electrode 5 is made of predetermined quantity of a mix which is molded with the current collector 3 into one body. The mix comprises (a) negative material powder 85%, (b) binder 10% made of polyvinylidene fluoride and (c) conductive agent 5% made of acetylene black. These percentages represent the relative weight ratios among the materials. After the negative material mold electrode 5 in the cell case 1 is substantially dried under reduced pressure at 80° C., the test cell is assembled.

The organic electrolyte is produced by using the following materials and steps:

Prepare a mixed solvent made from ethylene carbonate (EC) and di-ethyl carbonate (DEC) in an equal volume of each, then, dissolve the solute lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), which is an electrolyte, into the mixed solvent, and finally, adjust the concentration thereof at 1 mol·1⁻¹.

The test cell can be interpreted as this: a regular coin-type lithium primary battery, e.g., CR2016 type manganese dioxide lithium battery, of which manganese dioxide positive electrode is replaced with the negative material mold electrode.

The charge and discharge efficiency of the test cell is measured under the following condition: test temperature: 20° C., charge and discharge with current density of 0.5 mA·cm⁻² constant current, and discharge up to 3 V, then charge down to 0 V, repeat this discharge/charge 50 cycles.

Table 1(A) lists the following items; (a) mixing ratios of the raw materials for the negative electrode material prepared, (b) heating temperature, (c) component of the solid phases A and B of the negative electrode material prepared and (d) the electronic conductivity as well as ionic conductivity of the solid phase B.

Table 1(B) lists the following data both at the initial cycle and at the 50th cycle; charge and discharge capacities, efficiency thereof, and the change ratio of discharge capacity, where,

the efficiency of charge and discharge is represented by:

(discharge capacity/charge capacity)×100, and

the change ratio of discharge capacity is represented by

(discharge capacity at the 50th cycle/discharge capacity at 1st cycle)×100.

Table 1(B) also lists the following data of the conventional materials in order to show a comparison list with each sample used in the embodiments of the present invention;

For the comparison, produce the negative electrode material based on the same condition as the above sample by using a host material which is able to absorb and desorb lithium ion through charge and discharge, and also produce the test cell based on the same condition, then perform the charge and discharge cycling test. The following conventional materials are employed in this test:

Conventional case 1: silicon powder of which particle size is not more than 150 μm,

Conventional case 2: Put mixed product of silicon powder and naphthalene pitch in the alumina crucible, and then heat it at 1000° C. by the electric furnace for one hour under argon atmosphere, then, cool the product down to the room temperature, and crush the product into powder of which particle size is not more than 150 μm. It is confirmed through analysis that the powder is a complex where silicon and carbon are mildly combined.

Conventional case 3: natural graphite powder of which particle size is not more than 150 μm,

Conventional case 4: powder of intermetallic compound Mg2Si of which particle size is not more than 150 μm,

As Table 1(A) shows, the samples 1-8 used in the exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention are proved composite particles by EPMA method, i.e., the composite particles comprise the following materials:

(a) solid phase A forming a core comprising metal lithium, and

(b) solid phase B wrapping the solid phase A, the solid phase B comprising an intermetallic compound of lithium and the element being able to alloy with lithium.

When the above intermetallic compound which forms the solid phase B is independently prepared, and electronic conductivity as well as ionic conductivity of the powder thereof are measured, all the solid phases B are proved as mixed conductors.

The powders of each sample used in the first exemplary embodiment are composite particles formed by peritectic phenomenon.

The discharge capacity at the initial cycle of each sample powder is at least 650 mAh·cm⁻³ which is approximately the same level as those of the conventional case 1 (silicon) and case 2 (complex of silicon and carbon), and higher level than those of the conventional case 3 (natural graphite) and case 4 (Mg2Si).

The efficiencies of charge and discharge at the initial cycle of each sample powder indicate at least 90% that of the conventional case 3 (negative electrode material by natural graphite.)

Regarding the discharge capacity at the 50th cycle, the conventional cases 1 and 2, which indicated large discharge capacities at the initial cycle, show drastic decreases, while the conventional cases 3 (natural graphite) and 4 (Mg2Si) show little change in the discharge capacities. Each sample powder used in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, retains at least 75% of the discharge capacity sustainable rate, and has a larger discharge capacity than those of the conventional cases 3 and 4 by 10-30%.

The metal lithium forming the solid phase A has a high capacity density in itself; however, it shows a drastic decrease in a discharge capacity. The intermetallic compounds of lithium and respective element being able to alloy with lithium, which forms the solid phase B, is the mixed conductor and has excellent cycle characteristics; however, the capacity density thereof is not so high. When the composite particle comprising the solid phases A and B is employed as the negative electrode material, the solid phase B having the excellent cycle characteristics restrains the metal lithium which has high capacity density and forms the solid phase A from being decreased in the discharge capacity due to the charge and discharge cycles, i.e., the solid phases A and B complement each other.

Since the composite particle used in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention has included lithium (active material) in the form of metal or intermetallic compound, it is appropriate to use this composite particle as the negative electrode material of a battery system such as a practical secondary battery of which operation is started by discharge, while the positive electrode material of this battery system should be selected from oxides and chalcogenides of the transition metal element such as V2O5, TiS2, MoS2 (these correspond to charged condition), and then, organic electrolyte is impregnated into this material, and finally, the positive electrode is assembled.

[Embodiment 2]

In the second exemplary embodiment, a composite particle comprising the following materials is discussed:

(a) solid phase A which forms a core of the particle, and absorbs and disorbs a large amount of lithium ion by charge and discharge,

(b) solid phase B which wraps the solid phase A, and has excellent cycle characteristics of little decreasing in discharge capacity along the cycle progress, though it has the less absorption and disorption amount of lithium ion than the solid phase A.

(1) Preparing powder of the negative electrode material

Heat two granular element materials, which are able to alloy with lithium at a predetermined ratio, up to an appropriate melting temperature, and then crush the sample into powder same as the first exemplary embodiment.

(2) Analyze the section of the prepared powder, and measuring electronic as well as ionic conductivity

Perform this step according to that of the first exemplary embodiment.

(3) Evaluate the charge and discharge characteristics of the negative electrode material

Form the negative mold electrode same as the first exemplary embodiment, and then produce the test cell under the same condition as the first exemplary embodiment. A different point from the first exemplary embodiment is to start the test by initial charging, while the test in the first exemplary embodiment starts with discharging.

Table 2(A) shows the following data of the solid phases A and B:

mixing ratio, heating temperature of the materials in preparing the negative electrode material, component of the solid phases A and B, and electronic as well as ionic conductivity of the solid phase B.

Table 2(B) shows the following data both at the initial cycle and the 50th cycle of the test cell employing the prepared negative electrode material:

charge and discharge capacities, efficiency of charge and discharge and discharge capacity sustainable rate.

[Note] e.g., in Tables 2(A) and 2(B), the solid phase A of sample No. 15 is indicated as Mn-Als.s., which means the sample is formed by solid solutions of Mn and Al. The same interpretation can be applied to the sample Nos. 19, 20, 41, 42, 47, 49 and 50, which are formed also solid solutions. The solid phases A of sample Nos. 61, 63 and 65 are formed by single element Mo and Si respectively. The other samples' solid phases A and B are formed by intermetallic compound made from two elements.

Each sample used in the second exemplary embodiment is a composite particle comprising the core formed by the solid phase A, and the solid phase B which wraps the core resulting from peritectic phenomenon. The solid phase B, as shown in Table 2(A), is a mixed conductor having electronic conductivity and lithium ionic conductivity, same as used in the first exemplary embodiment.

Table 2(B) proves that the discharge capacity of each sample in the second exemplary embodiment at the initial cycle is greater than those of the conventional cases 1-4 shown in Table 1(B), in particular, eight samples including the sample Nos. 23, 35, 52, 55, 56, 57, 61 and 63 indicate at least 1000 mAh·cm⁻³ of discharge capacity. These negative electrode materials of high capacity include at least one of the following elements which are able to alloy with lithium (active material) in the solid phase A: zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth.

The sample No. 65, among others, indicates the largest discharge capacity (1450 MAh·cm⁻³) of which core comprising the solid phase A is formed by silicon.

Regarding the charge and discharge efficiency at the initial cycle, every sample used in the second exemplary embodiment indicates at least 75% and has a greater charge and discharge efficiency than those of the conventional case 1 (silicon), case 2 (complex of silicon and carbon) and case 4 (Mg2Si); however, many of the samples have less capacity than the conventional case 3 (natural graphite indicated 91%), and yet, several samples (e.g., sample Nos. 9-12, 14, 16, 17 and 19) show not less than the charge and discharge efficiency of the case 3.

Regarding the discharge capacity sustainable rate, every sample indicates at least 75%, and majority of the samples indicate 90% or more. These values are less than the conventional case 3 (natural graphite) and case 4 (Mg2Si). On the other hand, the samples indicate far less decrease of discharge capacity due to cycles than those of the conventional case 1 (silicon) and case 2 (complex of silicon and carbon.)

Based on the data of charge and discharge characteristics both at the initial cycle and 50th cycle, it should be noted that the solid phase A is formed by, as previously described, at least one of the following elements which absorb and desorb a large amount of lithium by charge and discharge:

zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth,

or formed by either a solid solution or intermetallic compound including an element which is able to alloy with lithium as described above.

The following samples show at least 90% of discharge capacity sustainable rate after the 50th cycle, and thus they are proved to have an excellent cycle characteristic: sample Nos. 2 used in the first exemplary embodiment, sample Nos. 9-17, 19-44, 46-50, 52-61, 63-68 and 70-72 in the second exemplary embodiment.

In the negative electrode materials which show excellent cycle characteristics as described above, it is understandable that the solid phase B is formed by either a solid solution or intermetallic compound including at least one element selected from a group of alkaline earth elements and transition metal elements.

Although Tables 2(A) and 2(B) did not list the following samples, Mg2Si, Mg2Pb, Mg2Sn, Mg2Ge, and transition metal element silicides other than NiSi, such as FeSi2, CoSi2, they have great potentials for forming the solid phase B.

In the sample No. 65 made of composite particles comprising the solid phases A and B, silicon forming the solid phase A is able to alloy with lithium. When silicon alone is employed in the negative electrode as a host material (corresponding to the conventional case 1), an initial charge capacity at the initial cycle indicates, as shown in Table 1(B), 5600 mAh·cm⁻³ as well as such a large amount exceeding 4000 mAh·g⁻¹. However, as the absorption of lithium ion progresses, the crystal structure of silicon changes, i.e., a lattice interval of a crystal expands, and a swelling volume reaches to max. four times, which results in a crack on crystal particle boundaries of silicon.

When silicon is shrunk by the initial discharge, the crystal particles thereof progresses in fineness and becomes finer than those before the initial charge. This progressive fineness increases ohmic contact resistance and lowers electronic conductivity between particles. As a result, over voltage applied to the negative electrode at discharge increases, and thus the discharge capacity at the initial cycle reaches to less than a half of the initial charge capacity. The lithium which has not been utilized as the initial discharge capacity remains in the negative electrode as dead lithium, and does not contribute to charge reaction thereafter.

When the battery is charged at the second cycle, the silicon particle having the higher electric resistance due to progressive fineness finds itself difficult to be alloyed, and only the silicon particle that has a relatively higher electronic conductivity and does not progress in fineness is alloyed, the charge capacity of the battery thus reaches to as low as 20% that of the initial charge. Silicon progresses in fineness at the 2nd cycle discharge, and the discharge capacity further lowers accordingly. Repeating charge and discharge less than 20 cycles brings the battery being unable to charge or discharge at all. In the negative electrode in such a condition, the specific surface area increases due to progressive fineness of silicon, and also a lot of dead lithium exists, therefore, the negative electrode is extremely unstable from the thermal view of point, and thus this condition involves safety concern.

The material NiSi2 forming the solid phase B of sample No. 65, on the other hand and different from Si, absorbs and disorbs lithium by charge and discharge within the crystal lattices, thus the crystal structure changes little. As a result, the crystal swells and shrinks little, and the particle fineness does not progress, neither dead lithium nor increasing of the specific surface area can be observed. Accordingly, it is not worth worrying drastic decrease of discharge capacity due to cycles; however, the employment of NiSi2 still cannot provide a satisfactory level of high capacity when a high capacity-oriented battery is desired with the discharge capacity of 250 mAh·g⁻¹. Such a small discharge capacity is disadvantage for evaluating a high rate charge and discharge characteristics.

In the composite particle comprising the solid phases A and B, according to the present invention, a host material of lithium comprising the solid phase A formed by Si and the solid phase B formed by NiSi2 is employed as the negative electrode material. In this case, Si and NiSi2 are bound each other strongly at the boundary face, and easy to be electrically conductive. During the charge and discharge, NiSi2 swells and shrinks far less than Si does, and thus restrains Si from swelling and shrinking within two times of the original volume which is restorable elastic limit for the crystal structure. The amount of lithium absorbed and disorbed by charge and discharge decreases responsive to the restrained amount of Si, and is less than the case where Si alone is used. However, since the solid phase B, which comprises NiSi2, a mixed conductor having electronic and lithium ionic conductivity, wraps the solid phase A comprising Si, electrons can move between Si and NiSi2 as described above. When lithium ion is absorbed into Si as well as NiSi2 from non-aqueous electrolyte by charging, electrons are provided from electron cloud which is formed by mixing Si and NiSi2. Therefore, the total lithium amount absorbed into Si and NiSi2 is less than the case of Si alone, and yet, it is substantially greater than the case of NiSi2 alone.

The above description proves that when the composite particle formed by the solid phases A (Si) and B (NiSi2) according to the present invention is employed as the negative electrode material, the negative electrode shows the less decrease of discharge capacity due to cycles, and has the greater capacity than those of the conventional case 3 (natural graphite) and case 4 (Mg2Si) both of which have excellent cycle characteristics and relatively high capacities.

The safety of the negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is tested with "solder iron method" named by the inventors' group. The method is as follows: First, charge the test cell which underwent the 50-cycle charge and discharge test, and second, disassemble the test cell in a glove box under dry air of less than 5% relative humidity, then, dry vacuum the disassembled cell. Then, press a solder iron heated up to ca. 300° C. to the negative material mold electrode 5 which has been molded with the current collector 3 into one body still remained in the cell case. Then, the following phenomena are observed:

Conventional case 1 (Si); The sample generates white fuming, but no spark or combustion.

Conventional case 2 (complex of Si and Co) and case 3 (natural graphite); The sample is burnt excitedly.

Conventional case 4 (MgNi2); No change in appearance is observed.

Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present invention; There are no white fuming, spark, or combustion, thus no change is observed. As a result, the samples of the present invention are proved to be the most reliable from the safety view of point.

It can be concluded that the negative electrode material comprising the composite particles formed by the solid phases A and B is highly safety and has the less decrease of discharge capacity due to cycles as well as the higher capacity than the conventional materials.

[Embodiment 3]

In the third exemplary embodiment, variation of a material mixing ratio (at. %) between Si and Ni, particle size (average) variation due to pulverize, and resulting specific surface area variation thereof, are discussed what influences these variations give the charge and discharge characteristics.

(1) Preparing powder of the negative electrode material.

Vary the raw material mixing ratio between granular Ni and Si, and heat each sample up to an appropriate melting temperature, then crush an ingot same as the first exemplary embodiment, then sift the sample into several groups based on an average particle size.

(2) Measuring the average particle size.

Measure the average particle size with the particle size distribution measuring method by LASER.

(3) Measuring the specific surface area of the prepared powder using BET method by N2 gas adorption.

(4) Measuring a percentage content of nickel silicide in the prepared powder.

Dissolve the prepared powder into hydrochloric acid, and drop ethanol solution of dimethylglyoxime so that dimethylglyoximat-nickel (II) deposits, then, find the total amount of nickel, finally, convert the amount into NiSi2 as the percentage content of nickel silicide.

(5) Evaluating the charge and discharge characteristics of the negative electrode materials.

Form a negative material mold electrode same as the first exemplary embodiment, and then, produce a test cell under the same condition as the first exemplary embodiment. Repeat charge and discharge 50 cycles on the test cell under the same condition as the second exemplary embodiment.

The test result is shown in Table 3. In order to compare each sample in the third exemplary embodiment with the conventional materials, Table 4 lists the following data: Each sample of the conventional cases 1-4 are sifted into several groups depending on the particle size, each group thus has a specific surface area responsive to the particle size. Each group undergoes 50 cycles of charge and discharge. The test result is listed in Table 4.

As Tables 3 and 4 indicate, Sample Nos. 74a-f (the percentage content of the solid phase B is 30%, and the solid phase B is assumed NiSi2) drastically lower the discharge capacity sustainable rate down to as low as 20-30% after the 50th cycle. On the other hand, Sample Nos. 75a-f, 76a-f, 77a-f and 78a-f maintain the rate at as high as 97-98%. In the case of Sample Nos. 74a-f, the percentage content of NiSi2 which forms the solid phase B is rather low at 30%, and the percentage content of Si in the solid phase A is high. This composition drastically lowers the discharge capacity along with the progressive cycles although a high capacity of charge and discharge is reserved at the initial cycle. This data proves that the presence of NiSi2 in the solid phase B at a low percentage content cannot restrain Si from swelling and shrinking due to charge and discharge.

Sample Nos. 78a-f which have the higher percentage content of NiSi2 in the solid phase B, on the other hand, retain the discharge capacity sustainable rate due to cycles at as high as 98%, however, the charge and discharge capacities thereof are not larger than those of Sample No. 65 in the second exemplary embodiment, Sample Nos. 75a-f, 76a-f and 77a-f in this exemplary embodiment. An excessively low percentage content of Si forming the solid phase A causes this phenomenon.

The nickel silicide forming the solid phase B is assumed NiSi2 in this embodiment; however, there are many nickel suicide such as NiSi, Ni3Si2, Ni2Si, etc. However, it is practically impossible to separate these materials quantatively, thus, a main component NiSi2 is described representatively.

It is concluded that the appropriate percentage content of nickel suicide (assuming NiSi2) forming the solid phase B ranges between 40-95 weight %.

Regarding the percentage content in the solid phase B, the case where the solid phase A formed by Si and the solid phase B formed by NiSi2 has been detailed. In the case of the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, each sample shows an excellent charge and discharge characteristics when the percentage content thereof in the solid phase B ranges the same limits, i.e., 40-95%.

When the average particle size becomes smaller, the responsive specific surface area thereof increases. This phenomenon is observed in each sample used in this third exemplary embodiment and the conventional cases 1-4.

Regarding each samples in this third exemplary embodiment, a correlation between the average particle size and the charge and discharge capacities both at the initial and 50th cycles is verified; A distinct difference is observed between two groups having different ranges of average particle size, i.e., 100-50 μm and 40-0.5 μm. In the case of the first group having 100-50 μm average particle size has lower charge and discharge capacity than the second group having 40-0.5 μm by ca. 200 mAh·cm⁻³. When the particles have a larger average size such as 100-50 μm, diffusion in the solid phase delays, and thus an over voltage increases, which lowers the charge and discharge capacity.

As indicated in Table 4, the conventional samples 1a-f through 4a-f show the following phenomena:

Conventional sample 3a-f: Natural graphite is proved an excellent material for the negative electrode because of a) extremely high efficiency of charge and discharge both at the initial and 50th cycles, and b) extremely small decrease in discharge capacity due to cycles, however, the charge and discharge capacities thereof does not reach to 500 mAh·cm⁻³, therefore, natural graphite is not appropriate for high capacity oriented battery. These characteristics are not changed by variation of the average particle size.

Conventional samples 1a-f and 2a-f: The complex of silicon and carbon shows a poor cycle characteristic, and this is not improved by the variation of average particle size.

Conventional samples 4a-f: Mg2Si shows low efficiency of charge and discharge at the initial cycle. As same as the conventional samples 3a-f, Mg2Si shows little decrease in the discharge capacity due to cycles, and yet the charge and discharge capacity at the 50th cycle does not reach to 500 mAh cm⁻³, accordingly, Mg2Si is not appropriate for the high-capacity oriented battery. These characteristics are not changed by the variation of average particle size.

Based on the above discussion, it is proved that the samples of each exemplary embodiment according to the present invention have the better charge and discharge characteristics than those of the conventional samples.

The test cells undergone the 50 cycles of charge and discharge test is charged again for evaluating the safety of each negative electrode material by the "solder iron method." Here is the evaluation report:

Sample Nos. 74a-f: White fuming is observed in every sample, for due to low percentage content of NiSi2 forming the solid phase B, the presence of NiSi2 cannot restrain Si forming the solid phase A from swelling and shrinking, and thus these samples react in the same way as the negative electrode material which employs Si alone did.

Sample Nos. 75a-f through 78a-f: A little white fuming is observed in Sample Nos. 75a, 76a, 77a and 78a of which average particle size is 0.5 μm. In this case, a specific surface area is larger than 10 m² g⁻¹, which means an active surface area has majority, thus concerns are involved in the safety aspect.

Other samples do not show any white fuming, spar, or combustion, and they have no problem in the safety as Sample No. 65 did in the second exemplary embodiment.

As a result, an excellent negative electrode material can be specified as follows based on the third exemplary embodiment:

the solid phase A is formed by Si,

the solid phase B is formed by NiSi2,

the average particle size ranges between 1 and 40 μm,

the specific surface area ranges between 0.01 and 10 m² g⁻¹

The material having the above specifications has an excellent charge and discharge characteristics and has no problem in safety. The above specification, however, has a premise that the percentage content of nickel suicide forming the solid phase B ranges between 40 weight % and 95 weight %, as previously described.

[Embodiment 4]

When every sample used in each exemplary embodiment is observed in its section through electron microscope, the core comprising the solid phase A reveals that it is not always wrapped up completely with the solid phase B. In the fourth exemplary embodiment, an exposed area of Si on a particle which forms the solid phase A vs. total surface area of the particle is discussed what influence this factor gives the charge and discharge characteristics. Samples used in this fourth exemplary embodiment are the same composite particle as those used in the third exemplary embodiment, and Sample No. 65 in the second exemplary embodiment, i.e., the solid phase A is formed by Si, and the solid phase B is formed by nickel silicide.

(1) Preparing powder of the negative electrode material

Vary the raw material mixing rate of granular Si and Ni, and heat the samples up to a responsive appropriate melting temperature. After the powder of the sample is obtained, the powder is sorted into the following several groups through EPMA and an electron microscope: Silicon exposed area ratio against the overall particle surface area are 0, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 100%. In the case of 100% ratio, the negative electrode material made from Si alone which is used in the conventional case 1 is employed.

(2) Evaluating the charge and discharge characteristics of the samples

Form a negative material mold electrode same as the first exemplary embodiment, and produce a test cell under the same condition as the first exemplary embodiment. Charge the test cell with 0.5 mA·cm⁻² at 20° C., then, discharge it down to 3.0 V with varying the discharge rate such as 0.5, 0.7, 1.4, 2.0 and 3.0 mA·cm⁻². The discharge capacity at the lowest discharge rate 0.5 mA·cm⁻² is expressed 100, and find the discharge capacity ratio at each discharge rate. The indications found are called "change ratio of discharge capacity." These information is listed in Table 5.

When the Si exposed area ratio is 5% or more against the overall surface area of the particle of negative electrode material, the material is proved to have an excellent high rate discharge characteristic. However, when the Si expose ratio reaches to as high as 40% or more, the amount of Si forming the solid phase A is excessive, which lowers the cycle characteristic. Accordingly the Si exposed area ratio is preferably adjusted to range between 5% and 40%. This condition is effective both at high rate charge and high rate discharge.

When the overall surface area of the particle is wrapped up completely with nickel silicide forming the solid phase B, the sample does not always show an excellent high rate charge and discharge characteristics, as described above. When Si of the solid phase A is exposed on the particle surface at an appropriate exposing ratio, this exposed Si can absorb and desorb a lot of lithium, and thus a speed of a lithium absorption and desorption is accelerated by this Si together with the nickel silicide. As a result, the high rate charge and discharge characteristics are improved.

[Embodiment 5]

Use Sample No. 65 in the second exemplary embodiment as the negative electrode material, and select one of the following materials as a positive electrode material, then produce a cylindrical cell having a nominal capacity 780 mAh (overall height: 50 mm, outer diameter: 17 mm) as shown in FIG. 2. The cylindrical cell undergoes the charge and discharge cycle test.

Materials for the positive electrode: lithium contained cobalt oxides (LiCoO2), lithium contained nickel oxides, spinel-type lithium contained manganese oxides (LiMn2O4).

The cylindrical cell shown in FIG. 2 is assembled through the following steps:

(a) Roll an electrode group comprising a positive electrode plate 8, a negative electrode plate 10 and a microporous polyporpylene membrane 12 as the separator inserted between the plates 8 and 10.

(b) Mount an upper insulating plate 13 and a lower insulating plate 14 made of polypropylene to the rolled electrode group.

(c) Put the above assembled electrode group and insulating plates into a cell case 15 made of nickel plated steel.

(d) Weld one end of a positive lead tab 9 to a lower surface of a cover 16 into which an explosion-proof mechanism has been built. The cover 16 is coupled with a gasket 17 made of polypropylene.

(e) Weld one end of a negative lead tab 11 which has been welded to the negative electrode 10 to an inside bottom surface of the cell case 15.

(f) Pour predetermined amount of organic electrolyte as non-aqueous electrolyte.

(g) After the electrolyte is absorbed and impregnated into the electrode group, seal an upper edge of the cell case 15 and the cover 16 through the gasket 17 liquid-tightly as well as gas-tightly.

(h) Provide the sealed cell case with an insulating package (not shown) to complete the cell.

The positive electrode 8 is produced through the following steps:

Prepare the following materials: three kinds of powders of positive electrode material (100 weight), carbon black as conductive agent (2.5 weight), aquatic-dispersion solution of polytetrafluoroethylene as binder (7 weight).

Knead the above prepared materials into paste,

coat both sides of aluminum foil (core material) with the paste,

dry the paste, and then, roll the coated foil with pressure,

cut the rolled foil into a plate having a predetermined size, and

mount the positive lead tab 9 made of titan to the plate by spot welding.

The negative electrode 10 is produced through the following steps:

Prepare Sample No. 65, which comprises the solid phase A formed by Si and the solid phase B formed by NiSi2, as a negative electrode material,

add polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as binder and natural graphite,

knead the above mixed materials into paste,

coat both sides of copper foil (core material) with the paste,

dry the paste, roll the foil with pressure,

cut the rolled foil into a plate having a predetermined size, and

mount the negative lead tab 11 made of copper to the plate by spot welding.

The organic electrolyte used in the coin type test cell is employed as non-aqueous electrolyte, i.e., dissolve LiPF6 into the mixed solvent comprising the same volume of EC (ethylene carbonate) and DEC (di-ethyl carbonate).

Table 6 shows the following data: Vary the component of the negative electrode paste responsive to each positive electrode material, then measure the discharge capacities of every combination at the initial cycle and after the 500th cycle, and calculate the discharge capacity sustainable rate.

The condition of charge and discharge test is as follows:

repeat charge and discharge with a constant current of 0.2 CmA (156 mA) at 20° C.,

charge end voltage: 4.2 V

discharge end voltage: 3.0 V

As shown in Table 6, when the percentage content of natural graphite powder in the negative electrode paste ranges between 5-80 weight %, the discharge capacity sustainable rate after the 500th cycle stays at least 80%, relatively higher value for each positive electrode material. On the other hand, when the percentage content is less than 5 weight %, the electronic conductivity lowers and the over voltage increases, thus, the cycle characteristic lowers. However, when the percentage content exceeds 80 weight %, the cycle characteristic also lowers because the diffusion resistance of lithium ion increases, thereby increasing non-reacted part within the plate. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the percentage content of natural graphite powder between 5-80 weight %.

In this embodiment, the natural graphite powder is detailed, however, other materials such as carbon black including acetylene black, and carbon materials including artificial graphite, graphitisable carbon such as mesophase micro beads, fibrous graphite, and nongraphitisable carbon can be also employed.

In this embodiment, the mixed solution comprising the same volume of EC and DEC is described as the organic electrolyte, however, the following materials can be used as an electrolyte: lithium salts such as lithium perchlorate (LiCl4), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate (LiCF3SO3), lithium hexafluoroarsenate (LiAsF6), and organic solutions including circular ester such as propylene carbonate, circular ether such as tetrahydrofuran, chain ether such as di-methoxyethan, chain ester such as methylpropionate, as itself alone, and mixed solvent two kinds or more.

Further, it is not necessary to limit the electrolyte to the organic electrolyte, and thus solid polymer electrolyte, gel polymer electrolyte having organic solvent as plasticizer in addition to the solid polymer electrolyte can be used.

The test cell used in every embodiment is coin type and cylindrical, however, effect of the present invention does not change depending on a cell shape. The same effect can be expected in a square type cell as well as a sheet type thin-cell.

The positive electrode materials are not necessarily limited to three materials shown in the fifth exemplary embodiment. As described in the first exemplary embodiment, V2O5, TiS2, MoS2, etc. can be employed.

In each exemplary embodiment, all the samples of the negative electrode materials are described to comprise two types of elements such as lithium and an element being able to alloy with lithium; however, the material can be prepared by using more than three elements upon request.

                                      TABLE 1(A)                                   __________________________________________________________________________            Raw          Component of                                                      Materials    negative electrode                                                                     Conductivity of solid phase                               Mixing Ratio                                                                          Heating                                                                              materials                                                                              B (S · cm.sup.-1)                                (at. %)                                                                               temperature                                                                          Solid                                                                              Solid                                                                              Electronic                                                                           Ion                                                 I  II  (° C.)                                                                        phase A                                                                            phase B                                                                            conductivity                                                                         conductivity                                 __________________________________________________________________________     Sample No. 1                                                                          Li:67                                                                             Al:33                                                                              600   Li  Li.sub.2 Al                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 2                                                                          Li:75                                                                             Cd:25                                                                              400   Li  Li.sub.3 Cd                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 3                                                                          Li:80                                                                             Bi:20                                                                              1200  Li  Li.sub.3 Bi                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 4                                                                          Li:82                                                                             Sn:18                                                                              800   Li  Li.sub.4 Sn                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 5                                                                          Li:50                                                                             Zn:50                                                                              500   Li  LiZn                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 6                                                                          Li:80                                                                             Tl:20                                                                              400   Li  Li.sub.4 Tl                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 7                                                                          Li:80                                                                             Pb:20                                                                              750   Li  Li.sub.4 Pb                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              Sample No. 8                                                                          Li:60                                                                             In:40                                                                              500   Li  LiIn                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                              __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 1(B)                                   __________________________________________________________________________            Component                                                                      of negative                                                                    electrode                                                                      material Initial cycle        50th cycle          Discharge                    Solid                                                                              Solid                                                                               Charge Discharge                                                                             Efficiency                                                                            Charge Discharge                                                                             Efficiency                                                                           Capacity                     Phase                                                                              phase                                                                               capacity                                                                              capacity                                                                              of charge &                                                                           capacity                                                                              capacity                                                                              of charge                                                                            Sustainable                  (A) (B)  (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            discharge (%)                                                                         (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            discharge                                                                            rate                  __________________________________________________________________________                                                              (%)                   Sample No. 1                                                                          Li  Li.sub.2 Al                                                                         699    650    93     645    501    78    77                    Sample No. 2                                                                          Li  Li.sub.3 Cd                                                                         773    665    92     631    606    96    91                    Sample No. 3                                                                          Li  Li.sub.3 Bi                                                                         736    670    91     650    514    76    77                    Sample No. 4                                                                          Li  Li.sub.4 Sn                                                                         740    688    93     678    529    78    77                    Sample No. 5                                                                          Li  LiZn 712    655    92     634    602    95    92                    Sample No. 6                                                                          Li  Li.sub.4 Tl                                                                         717    667    93     639    505    79    76                    Sample No. 7                                                                          Li  Li.sub.4 Pb                                                                         794    715    90     700    560    80    78                    Sample No. 8                                                                          Li  LiIn 775    705    91     691    560    81    79                    Conventional                                                                          Si       5600   840    15     10     1      10    0                     case 1                                                                         Conventional                                                                          Si + C   2300   599    26     105    16     15    3                     case 2                                                                         Conventional                                                                          C (Natural                                                                              490    448    91     446    445    100   99                    case 3 Graphite)                                                               Conventional                                                                          Mg.sub.2 Si                                                                             1120   461    41     451    449    100   97                    case 4                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2(A)                                   __________________________________________________________________________                          Component of                                                     Raw Materials negative electrode                                                                       Conductivity of solid phase                            mixing  Heating                                                                              materials B (S · cm.sup.-1)                             Ratio (at. %)                                                                          temperature                                                                          Solid Solid                                                                              Electronic                                                                           Ion                                              I   II  (° C.)                                                                        phase A                                                                              phase B                                                                            conductivity                                                                         conductivity                              __________________________________________________________________________     Sample No. 9                                                                          Al:67                                                                              Ba:33                                                                              1100  BaAl.sub.4                                                                           BaAl.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 10                                                                         Al:80                                                                              Ca:20                                                                              970   CaAl.sub.2                                                                           CaAl.sub.4                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 11                                                                         Al:80                                                                              Ce:20                                                                              1300  CeAl.sub.2                                                                           CeAl.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 12                                                                         Al:82                                                                              Co:18                                                                              1150  Co.sub.2 Al.sub.5                                                                    Co.sub.2 Al.sub.9                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 13                                                                         Al:80                                                                              Cr:20                                                                              1150  CrAl.sub.3                                                                           CrAl.sub.4                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 14                                                                         Al:75                                                                              Fe:25                                                                              1200  Fe.sub.2 Al.sub.5                                                                    FeAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 15                                                                         Al:77                                                                              Mn:23                                                                              1140  Mn--Als.s.                                                                           MnAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 16                                                                         Al:75                                                                              Ni:25                                                                              1120  Ni.sub.2 Al.sub.3                                                                    NiAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 17                                                                         Al:75                                                                              Pd:25                                                                              920   Pd.sub.2 Al.sub.3                                                                    PdAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 18                                                                         Al:84                                                                              Te:16                                                                              810   Al.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    Al.sub.5 Te                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 19                                                                         Al:75                                                                              Th:25                                                                              1450  Al--Ths.s.                                                                           ThAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 20                                                                         Al:75                                                                              Ti:25                                                                              1380  Ti--Als.s.                                                                           TiAl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 21                                                                         Al:75                                                                              V:25                                                                               1430  V.sub.5 Al.sub.5                                                                     VAl.sub.3                                                                          10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 22                                                                         Al:93                                                                              W:7 1280  WAl.sub.5                                                                            WAl.sub.12                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 23                                                                         Ba:20                                                                              Mg:80                                                                              680   Mg.sub.9 Ba                                                                          Mg.sub.4 Ba                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 24                                                                         Ba:50                                                                              Pb:50                                                                              900   Ba.sub.2 Pb                                                                          BaPb                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 25                                                                         Ba:83                                                                              Sn:17                                                                              700   BaSn.sub.3                                                                           BaSn.sub.5                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 26                                                                         Bi:75                                                                              Ca:25                                                                              680   BaCa.sub.3                                                                           Bi.sub.3 Ca                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 27                                                                         Bi:67                                                                              Ce:33                                                                              1350  BiCe  Bi.sub.2 Ce                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 28                                                                         Bi:75                                                                              Ni:25                                                                              780   NiBi  NiBi.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 29                                                                         Bi:67                                                                              Rh:33                                                                              850   RhBi  RhBi.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 30                                                                         Ca:67                                                                              Si:33                                                                              1000  CaSi  Ca.sub.2 Si                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 31                                                                         Ca:33                                                                              Si:67                                                                              1190  CaSi  CaSi.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 32                                                                         Ca25                                                                               Tl:75                                                                              570   Ca.sub.3 Tl.sub.4                                                                    CaTl.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 33                                                                         Ca:50                                                                              Zn:50                                                                              670   CaZn.sub.2                                                                           CaZn                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 34                                                                         Cu:25                                                                              Cd:75                                                                              570   Cu.sub.5 Cd.sub.8                                                                    CuCd.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 35                                                                         Mg:67                                                                              Ce:33                                                                              820   Mg.sub.3 Ce                                                                          Mg.sub.2 Ce                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 36                                                                         Zn:8                                                                               Ce:92                                                                              1000  CeZn.sub.8                                                                           CeZn.sub.11                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 37                                                                         Co:40                                                                              Ge:60                                                                              980   CoG.sub.6                                                                            Co.sub.2 Ge.sub.3                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 38                                                                         Co:33                                                                              Sb:67                                                                              1100  CoSb  CoSb.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 39                                                                         Co:33                                                                              Sn:67                                                                              1100  CoSn  CoSn.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 40                                                                         Cr:33                                                                              Sb:67                                                                              1000  CrSb  CrSb.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 41                                                                         Cu:68                                                                              Sb:32                                                                              670   Sb--Cus.s.                                                                           Cu.sub.2 Sb                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 42                                                                         Fe:33                                                                              Sb:67                                                                              950   Fe--Sbs.s.                                                                           FeSb.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 43                                                                         Ni:20                                                                              Ga:80                                                                              900   Ni.sub.2 Ga.sub.3                                                                    NiGa.sub.4                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 44                                                                         Pr:50                                                                              Ga:50                                                                              1250  PrGa.sub.2                                                                           PrGa                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-6 order                           Sample No. 45                                                                         Ga:25                                                                              Te:75                                                                              650   Ga.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    GaTe.sub.3                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 46                                                                         Mn:60                                                                              Ge:40                                                                              980   Mn.sub.5 Ge.sub.3                                                                    Mn.sub.3 Ge.sub.2                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-6 order                           Sample No. 47                                                                         Ni:50                                                                              Ge:50                                                                              950   Ni--Gess                                                                             NiGe                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 48                                                                         Zr:75                                                                              Ge:25                                                                              2200  Zr.sub.2 Ge                                                                          Zr.sub.3 Ge                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 49                                                                         Mn:75                                                                              In:25                                                                              1000  Mn--Ins.s.                                                                           Mn.sub.3 In                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 50                                                                         Ni:50                                                                              In:50                                                                              970   Ni--Ins.s.                                                                           NiIn                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 51                                                                         In:28                                                                              Te:72                                                                              650   In.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    In.sub.2 Te.sub.5                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 52                                                                         Mg:90                                                                              La:10                                                                              760   Mg.sub.3 La                                                                          Mg.sub.9 La                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 53                                                                         La:33                                                                              Sb:67                                                                              1350  LaSb  LaSb.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 54                                                                         La:8                                                                               Zn:92                                                                              1000  LaZn.sub.3                                                                           LaZn.sub.13                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 55                                                                         Mg:67                                                                              Ni:33                                                                              900   MgNi.sub.2                                                                           Mg.sub.2 Ni                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 56                                                                         Mg:90                                                                              Pr:10                                                                              720   Mg.sub.3 Pr                                                                          Mg.sub.9 Pr                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 57                                                                         Mg:75                                                                              Sr:25                                                                              700   Mg.sub.2 Sr                                                                          Mg.sub.3 Sr                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 58                                                                         Mg:50                                                                              Zn:50                                                                              570   MgZn.sub.2                                                                           MgZn                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-3 order                           Sample No. 59                                                                         Mn:77                                                                              Si:23                                                                              1160  Mn.sub.5 Si.sub.3                                                                    Mn.sub.3 Si                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 60                                                                         Mn:33                                                                              Sn:67                                                                              730   Mn.sub.2 Sn                                                                          MnSn.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 61                                                                         Mo:50                                                                              Ni:50                                                                              1750  Mo    MoNi                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 62                                                                         Mo:75                                                                              Si:25                                                                              2200  Mo.sub.3 Si.sub.2                                                                    Mo.sub.3 Si                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-4 order                           Sample No. 63                                                                         Mo:67                                                                              Zr:33                                                                              2150  Mo    ZrMo.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 64                                                                         Ni:32                                                                              Sb:68                                                                              1060  NiSb  NiSb.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 65                                                                         Ni:20.4                                                                            Si:79.6                                                                            1250  Si    NiSi.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-6 order                           Sample No. 66                                                                         Ni:43                                                                              Sn:57                                                                              1160  Ni.sub.3 Sn.sub.2                                                                    Ni.sub.3 Sn.sub.4                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 67                                                                         Pd:50                                                                              Pb:50                                                                              680   Pd.sub.3 Pb.sub.2                                                                    PdPb                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-6 order                           Sample No. 68                                                                         Pr:67                                                                              Tl:33                                                                              1100  PrTl  Pr.sub.2 Tl                                                                        10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 69                                                                         Tl:40                                                                              Se:60                                                                              330   TlSe  Tl.sub.2 Se.sub.3                                                                  10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 70                                                                         Zr:33                                                                              Si:67                                                                              570   ZrSi  ZrSi.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 71                                                                         Sn:83                                                                              Sn:17                                                                              580   SrSn.sub.3                                                                           SrSn.sub.5                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 72                                                                         Zr:33                                                                              Sn:67                                                                              1570  Zr.sub.3 Sn.sub.2                                                                    ZrSn.sub.2                                                                         10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           Sample No. 73                                                                         Tl:50                                                                              Te:50                                                                              370   Tl.sub.3 Te.sub.2                                                                    TlTe                                                                               10° order                                                                     10.sup.-5 order                           __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2(B)                                   __________________________________________________________________________            Composition of                                                                            Initial cycle       50th cycle          Discharge                   negative electrode       Efficiency          Efficiency                                                                           capacity                    materials  Charge Discharge                                                                             of charge &                                                                          Charge Discharge                                                                             of charge                                                                            sustain-                    Solid Solid                                                                               capacity                                                                              capacity                                                                              discharge                                                                            capacity                                                                              capacity                                                                              discharge                                                                            able                        Phase (A)                                                                            phase (B)                                                                           (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (%)   (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                                            (%)   rate                 __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)                  Sample No. 9                                                                          BaAl.sub.4                                                                           BaAl.sub.2                                                                          1200   1100   92    1050   1000   95    91                   Sample No. 10                                                                         CaAl.sub.2                                                                           CaAl.sub.4                                                                          1180   1090   92    1043   998    96    92                   Sample No. 11                                                                         CeAl.sub.2                                                                           CeAl.sub.4                                                                          1225   1115   91    1085   1042   96    93                   Sample No. 12                                                                         Co.sub.2 Al.sub.5                                                                    Co.sub.2 Al.sub.9                                                                   1237   1126   91    1103   1059   96    94                   Sample No. 13                                                                         CrAl.sub.3                                                                           CrAl.sub.4                                                                          1234   1098   89    1040   998    96    91                   Sample No. 14                                                                         Fe.sub.2 Al.sub.5                                                                    FeAl.sub.3                                                                          1111   1020   92    992    945    95    93                   Sample No. 15                                                                         Mn--Als.s.                                                                           MnAl.sub.3                                                                          1120   1010   90    1001   950    95    94                   Sample No. 16                                                                         Ni.sub.2 Al.sub.3                                                                    NiAl.sub.3                                                                          1170   1088   93    1045   1003   96    92                   Sample No. 17                                                                         Pd.sub.2 Al.sub.3                                                                    PdAl.sub.3                                                                          1163   1070   92    1027   996    97    93                   Sample No. 18                                                                         Al.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    Al.sub.5 Te                                                                         1322   1150   87    1092   863    79    75                   Sample No. 19                                                                         Al--Ths.s.                                                                           ThAl.sub.3                                                                          1341   1220   91    1186   1150   97    94                   Sample No. 20                                                                         Ti--Als.s.                                                                           TiAl.sub.3                                                                          1271   1100   87    1045   1001   96    91                   Sample No. 2l                                                                         V.sub.5 Al.sub.5                                                                     VAl.sub.3                                                                           1310   1170   89    1099   1063   97    91                   Sample No. 22                                                                         WAl.sub.5                                                                            WAl.sub.12                                                                          1421   1250   88    1228   1167   95    93                   Sample No. 23                                                                         Mg.sub.9 Ba                                                                          Mg.sub.4 Ba                                                                         945    810    86    802    765    95    94                   Sample No. 24                                                                         Ba.sub.2 Pb                                                                          BaPb 1178   1060   90    1042   990    95    93                   Sample No. 25                                                                         BaSn.sub.3                                                                           BaSn.sub.5                                                                          1422   1280   90    1258   1195   95    93                   Sample No. 26                                                                         BiCa.sub.3                                                                           Bi.sub.3 Ca                                                                         1299   1143   88    1123   1067   95    93                   Sample No. 27                                                                         BiCe  Bi.sub.2 Ce                                                                         1582   1250   79    1210   1163   96    93                   Sample No. 28                                                                         NiBi  NiBi.sub.3                                                                          1420   1150   81    1138   1081   95    94                   Sample No. 29                                                                         RhBi  RhBi.sub.2                                                                          1465   1143   78    1107   1052   95    92                   Sample No. 30                                                                         CaSi  Ca.sub.2 Si                                                                         1150   1020   89    956    918    96    90                   Sample No. 3l                                                                         CaSi  CaSi.sub.2                                                                          1210   1065   88    1020   970    95    91                   Sample No. 32                                                                         Ca.sub.3 Tl.sub.4                                                                    CaTl.sub.3                                                                          1326   1180   89    1145   1099   96    93                   Sample No. 33                                                                         CaZn.sub.2                                                                           CaZn 1310   1100   84    1108   150    95    95                   Sample No. 34                                                                         Cu.sub.5 Cd.sub.8                                                                    CuCd.sub.3                                                                          1375   1210   88    1148   1113   97    92                   Sample No. 35                                                                         Mg.sub.3 Ce                                                                          Mg.sub.2 Ce                                                                         709    610    86    577    554    96    91                   Sample No. 36                                                                         CeZn.sub.9                                                                           CeZn.sub.11                                                                         1469   1190   81    1165   1107   95    93                   Sample No. 37                                                                         CoG.sub.6                                                                            Co.sub.2 Ge.sub.3                                                                   1428   1157   81    1127   1082   96    94                   Sample No. 38                                                                         CoSb  CoSb.sub.2                                                                          1511   1250   83    1173   1138   97    91                   Sample No. 39                                                                         CoSn  CoSn.sub.2                                                                          1463   1212   83    1175   1139   97    94                   Sample No. 40                                                                         CrSb  CrSb.sub.2                                                                          1320   1050   80    1039   998    96    95                   Sample No. 4l                                                                         Sb--Cus.s.                                                                           Cu.sub.2 Sb                                                                         1290   1070   83    1014   974    96    91                   Sample No. 42                                                                         Fe--Sbs.s.                                                                           FeSb.sub.2                                                                          1390   1209   87    1184   1137   96    94                   Sample No. 43                                                                         Ni.sub.2 Ga.sub.3                                                                    NiGa.sub.4                                                                          1458   1123   77    1111   1056   95    94                   Sample No. 44                                                                         PrGa.sub.2                                                                           PrGa 1748   1311   75    1312   1246   95    95                   Sample No. 45                                                                         Ga.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    GaTe.sub.3                                                                          1660   1295   78    1184   971    82    75                   Sample No. 46                                                                         Mn.sub.5 Ge.sub.3                                                                    Mn.sub.3 Ge.sub.2                                                                   1987   1351   68    1324   1271   96    94                   Sample No. 47                                                                         Ni--Gess                                                                             NiGe 1686   1366   81    1341   1301   97    95                   Sample No. 48                                                                         Zr.sub.2 Ge                                                                          Zr.sub.3 Ge                                                                         1701   1157   68    1133   1088   96    94                   Sample No. 49                                                                         Mn--Inss                                                                             Mn.sub.3 In                                                                         1397   1201   86    1159   1113   96    93                   Sample No. 50                                                                         Ni--Inss                                                                             NiIn 1296   1089   84    1075   1021   95    94                   Sample No. 51                                                                         In.sub.2 Te.sub.3                                                                    In.sub.2 Te.sub.5                                                                   1609   1223   76    1168   911    78    75                   Sample No. 52                                                                         Mg.sub.3 La                                                                          MgLa 923    714    77    684    650    95    91                   Sample No. 53                                                                         LaSb  LaSb.sub.2                                                                          1360   1156   85    1144   1098   96    95                   Sample No. 54                                                                         LaZn.sub.8                                                                           LaZn.sub.13                                                                         1172   1055   90    1044   992    95    94                   Sample No. 55                                                                         MgNi.sub.2                                                                           Mg.sub.2 Ni                                                                         726    610    84    578    561    97    92                   Sample No. 56                                                                         Mg.sub.3 Pr                                                                          Mg.sub.9 Pr                                                                         912    786    86    753    715    95    91                   Sample No. 57                                                                         Mg.sub.2 Sr                                                                          Mg.sub.3 Sr                                                                         827    727    88    689    662    96    91                   Sample No. 58                                                                         MgZn.sub.2                                                                           MgZn 1323   1115   84    1099   1055   96    95                   Sample No. 59                                                                         Mn.sub.5 Si.sub.3                                                                    Mn.sub.3 Si                                                                         1451   1277   88    1250   1213   97    95                   Sample No. 60                                                                         Mn.sub.2 Sn                                                                          MnSn.sub.2                                                                          1211   1050   87    1039   987    95    94                   Sample No. 6l                                                                         Mo    MoNi 763    641    84    608    583    96    91                   Sample No. 62                                                                         Mo.sub.3 Si.sub.2                                                                    Mo.sub.3 Si                                                                         1425   1233   87    1211   981    81    80                   Sample No. 63                                                                         Mo    ZrMo.sub.2                                                                          94     699    88    681    667    98    95                   Sample No. 64                                                                         NiSb  NiSb.sub.2                                                                          1488   1255   84    1246   1196   96    95                   Sample No. 65                                                                         Si    NiSi.sub.2                                                                          1611   1450   90    1496   1421   95    98                   Sample No. 66                                                                         Ni.sub.3 Sn.sub.2                                                                    Ni.sub.3 Sn.sub.4                                                                   1588   1399   88    1355   1301   89    93                   Sample No. 67                                                                         Pd.sub.3 Pb.sub.2                                                                    PdPb 1509   1298   86    1223   1186   97    91                   Sample No. 68                                                                         PrTl  Pr.sub.2 Tl                                                                         1579   1405   89    1345   1278   95    91                   Sample No. 69                                                                         TlSe  Tl.sub.2 Se.sub.3                                                                   1356   1167   86    1124   888    79    76                   Sample No. 70                                                                         ZrSi  ZrSi.sub.2                                                                          1795   1401   78    1357   1289   95    92                   Sample No. 7l                                                                         SrSn.sub.3                                                                           SrSn.sub.5                                                                          1609   1384   86    1311   1259   96    91                   Sample No. 72                                                                         Zr.sub.3 Sn.sub.2                                                                    ZrSn.sub.2                                                                          1421   1114   78    1084   1051   97    94                   Sample No. 73                                                                         Tl.sub.3 Te.sub.2                                                                    TlTe 1633   1321   81    1342   1074   80    81                   __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________         Raw         Solid                                                              Materials   phase B                                                                             Average                                                                            Specific                                                  mixing ratio                                                                         Heating                                                                              percentage                                                                          Particle                                                                           surface                                               Sample                                                                             (at. %)                                                                              temperature                                                                          content                                                                             size                                                                               area Initial cycle                                                                          50th cycle                               No. Si Ni (C. °)                                                                        (wt. %)                                                                             (μm)                                                                            (m.sup.2 · g.sup.-1)                                                       *A *B *C                                                                               *A *B *C                                                                               *D                               __________________________________________________________________________     74a 92 8  1450  30   100 0.0019                                                                              2581                                                                              2211                                                                              86                                                                                679                                                                               611                                                                              90                                                                               28                               74b                  50  0.0051                                                                              2515                                                                              2295                                                                              91                                                                                651                                                                               556                                                                              95                                                                               24                               74c                  40  0.012                                                                               3005                                                                              2456                                                                              82                                                                                866                                                                               778                                                                              90                                                                               32                               74d                  20  3    2958                                                                              2355                                                                              80                                                                                901                                                                               821                                                                              91                                                                               35                               74e                  1   8    2922                                                                              2314                                                                              79                                                                                870                                                                               699                                                                              80                                                                               30                               74f                  0.5 62   2899                                                                              2324                                                                              80                                                                                859                                                                               701                                                                              82                                                                               30                               75a 89 11 1400  40   100 0.0022                                                                              2188                                                                              1977                                                                              90                                                                               2039                                                                              1937                                                                              95                                                                               98                               75b                  50  0.0055                                                                              2222                                                                              1983                                                                              89                                                                               2004                                                                              1924                                                                              96                                                                               99                               75c                  40  0.01 2444                                                                              2224                                                                              91                                                                               2267                                                                              2154                                                                              95                                                                               98                               75d                  20  5    2412                                                                              2195                                                                              91                                                                               2235                                                                              2123                                                                              95                                                                               98                               75e                  1   10   2405                                                                              2213                                                                              92                                                                               2224                                                                              2135                                                                              96                                                                               98                               75f                  0.5 45   2399                                                                              2210                                                                              92                                                                               2222                                                                              2111                                                                              95                                                                               98                               76a 82.5                                                                              17.5                                                                              1350  60   100 0.0015                                                                              1711                                                                              1601                                                                              94                                                                               1635                                                                              1552                                                                              95                                                                               97                               76b                  50  0.0059                                                                              1682                                                                              1572                                                                              94                                                                               1688                                                                              1621                                                                              96                                                                               97                               76c                  40  0.011                                                                               1903                                                                              1792                                                                              94                                                                               1829                                                                              1756                                                                              96                                                                               98                               76d                  20  5.1  1889                                                                              1755                                                                              93                                                                               1810                                                                              1720                                                                              95                                                                               98                               76e                  1   9.9  1872                                                                              1768                                                                              94                                                                               1824                                                                              1733                                                                              95                                                                               98                               76f                  0.5 47   1905                                                                              1810                                                                              95                                                                               1848                                                                              1774                                                                              96                                                                               98                               77a 69 31 1200  95   100 0.0025                                                                              1623                                                                              1411                                                                              87                                                                               1441                                                                              1383                                                                              96                                                                               98                               77b                  50  0.0052                                                                              1611                                                                              1421                                                                              88                                                                               1451                                                                              1378                                                                              95                                                                               97                               77c                  40  0.01 1798                                                                              1594                                                                              89                                                                               1627                                                                              1562                                                                              96                                                                               98                               77d                  20  4    1841                                                                              1633                                                                              89                                                                               1684                                                                              1600                                                                              95                                                                               98                               77e                  1   10   1839                                                                              1629                                                                              89                                                                               1680                                                                              1596                                                                              95                                                                               98                               77f                  0.5 47   1829                                                                              1615                                                                              88                                                                               1666                                                                              1583                                                                              95                                                                               98                               78a 68 32 1200  97   100 0.0017                                                                              1212                                                                               915                                                                              75                                                                                944                                                                               897                                                                              95                                                                               98                               78b                  50  0.0049                                                                              1129                                                                               992                                                                              87                                                                               1002                                                                               962                                                                              96                                                                               97                               78c                  40  0.012                                                                               1348                                                                              1201                                                                              89                                                                               1239                                                                              1176                                                                              95                                                                               98                               78d                  20  5.7  1355                                                                              1182                                                                              87                                                                               1219                                                                              1158                                                                              95                                                                               98                               78e                  1   9.8  1385                                                                              1175                                                                              85                                                                               1212                                                                              1156                                                                              95                                                                               98                               78f                  0.5 47   1392                                                                              1169                                                                              84                                                                               1193                                                                              1146                                                                              96                                                                               98                               __________________________________________________________________________      *A: Charge capacity (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                 *B: Discharge capacity (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                              *C: Efficiency of charge & discharge (%)                                       *D: Discharge capacity Sustainable rate (%)                              

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Negative    Average                                                                            Specific                                                       electrode   particle                                                                           surface                                                        material    size                                                                               area Initial cycle                                                                          50th cycle                                        composition (μm)                                                                            (m.sup.2 · g.sup.-1)                                                       *A *B *C                                                                               *A *B *C *D                                       __________________________________________________________________________     Conventional                                                                         Si    100 0.0025                                                                              4811                                                                              680                                                                               14                                                                                24                                                                                3  13                                                                                0                                       case 1a                                                                        Conventional                                                                               50  0.0054                                                                              4798                                                                              650                                                                               14                                                                                15                                                                                2  13                                                                                0                                       case 1b                                                                        Conventional                                                                               40  0.01 5522                                                                              811                                                                               15                                                                                11                                                                                1  9  0                                       case 1c                                                                        Conventional                                                                               20  5    5318                                                                              823                                                                               16                                                                                14                                                                                1  7  0                                       case 1d                                                                        Conventional                                                                               1   10.1 5415                                                                              844                                                                               16                                                                                17                                                                                4  24                                                                                0                                       case 1e                                                                        Conventional                                                                               0.5 47   5311                                                                              850                                                                               16                                                                                14                                                                                5  36                                                                                0                                       case 1f                                                                        Conventional                                                                         Si + C                                                                               100 0.0031                                                                              1691                                                                              475                                                                               28                                                                                88                                                                                14                                                                                16                                                                                3                                       case 2a                                                                        Conventional                                                                               50  0.0054                                                                              1711                                                                              451                                                                               26                                                                                91                                                                                15                                                                                17                                                                                3                                       case 2b                                                                        Conventional                                                                               40  0.011                                                                               2255                                                                              601                                                                               27                                                                               110                                                                                21                                                                                19                                                                                3                                       case 2c                                                                        Conventional                                                                               20  7    2169                                                                              559                                                                               26                                                                               115                                                                                25                                                                                22                                                                                4                                       case 2d                                                                        Conventional                                                                               1   10   2214                                                                              584                                                                               26                                                                               121                                                                                38                                                                                31                                                                                7                                       case 2e                                                                        Conventional                                                                               0.5 49   2267                                                                              599                                                                               26                                                                               109                                                                                34                                                                                31                                                                                6                                       case 2f                                                                        Conventional                                                                         C     100 0.0021                                                                               491                                                                              447                                                                               91                                                                               445                                                                               443                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3a                                                                              (Natural                                                                 Conventional                                                                         Graphite)                                                                            50  0.0052                                                                               484                                                                              451                                                                               93                                                                               447                                                                               446                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3b                                                                        Conventional                                                                               40  0.001                                                                                490                                                                              440                                                                               90                                                                               438                                                                               436                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3c                                                                        Conventional                                                                               20  4     488                                                                              448                                                                               92                                                                               445                                                                               444                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3d                                                                        Conventional                                                                               1   10    491                                                                              450                                                                               92                                                                               447                                                                               446                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3e                                                                        Conventional                                                                               0.5 51    490                                                                              449                                                                               92                                                                               446                                                                               445                                                                               100                                                                               99                                       case 3f                                                                        Conventional                                                                         Mg.sub.2 Si                                                                          100 0.0029                                                                              1159                                                                              465                                                                               40                                                                               452                                                                               451                                                                               100                                                                               97                                       case 4a                                                                        Conventional                                                                               50  0.0054                                                                              1139                                                                              459                                                                               40                                                                               447                                                                               445                                                                               100                                                                               97                                       case 4b                                                                        Conventional                                                                               40  0.011                                                                               1140                                                                              461                                                                               40                                                                               448                                                                               447                                                                               100                                                                               97                                       case 4c                                                                        Conventional                                                                               20  9    1121                                                                              470                                                                               42                                                                               463                                                                               461                                                                               100                                                                               98                                       case 4d                                                                        Conventional                                                                               1   10   1149                                                                              455                                                                               40                                                                               444                                                                               441                                                                               100                                                                               97                                       case 4e                                                                        Conventional                                                                               0.5 49   1155                                                                              459                                                                               40                                                                               451                                                                               450                                                                               100                                                                               98                                       case 4f                                                                        __________________________________________________________________________      *A: Capacity charge (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                                 *B: Discharge capacity (mAh · cm.sup.-3)                              *C: Efficiency of charge and discharge (%)                                     *D: Discharge capacity sustainable rate (%)                              

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Discharge capacity change rate (%)                                                   Si exposed                                                               Sample                                                                               area ratio                                                                              0.7      1.4    2.0                                             No.   (%)      mA.cm.sup.-2                                                                            mA.cm.sup.-2                                                                          mA.cm.sup.-2                                                                           3.0 mA.cm.sup.-2                        ______________________________________                                         79a   0         80      73     51      44                                      79b   2        100      93     87      75                                      79c   5        100      95     91      86                                      79d   10       100      96     92      88                                      79e   20       100      96     93      89                                      79f   40       100      96     95      90                                      79g   60       100      97     94      89                                      79h   80       100      96     95      90                                      79i   100      100      97     95      91                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Negative electrode paste  Discharge                                            Positive                                                                               composition (weight %)                                                                               capacity                                         electrode                                                                              Negative electrode   Natural                                                                               sustainable                                material                                                                               material     PVDF    Graphite                                                                              rate (%)                                   ______________________________________                                         LiCoO.sub.2                                                                            92           5       3      63                                                 90           5       5      80                                                 65           5       30     85                                                 45           5       50     83                                                 15           5       80     80                                                 10           5       85     75                                         LiNiO.sub.2                                                                            92           5       3      62                                                 90           5       5      81                                                 65           5       30     84                                                 45           5       50     83                                                 15           5       80     82                                                 10           5       85     70                                         LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4                                                                     92           5       3      62                                                 90           5       5      81                                                 65           5       30     84                                                 45           5       50     83                                                 15           5       80     82                                                 10           5       85     70                                         ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising:a composite particle comprising; a core formed by a solid phase A, and a solid phase B wrapping, at least partially, said core formed by solid phase A, wherein said solid phase A comprises one of the following materials: at least one element being able to alloy with lithium, a solid solution including said element being able to alloy with lithium, and an intermetallic compound including said element being able to alloy with lithium, wherein said solid phase B has a different component from the solid phase A and comprising one of the following materials: a second solid solution including said element being able to alloy with lithium, and a second intermetallic compound including said element being able to alloy with lithium, wherein both of said solid phase A and said solid phase B are free of elemental lithium.
 2. The negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said composite particle is solidified and deposited by peritectic phenomenon.
 3. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid phase B is a mixed conductor having electronic conductivity and lithium ionic conductivity.
 4. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid phase A comprisesat least one of the elements being able to alloy with lithium including, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth.
 5. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid phase B comprises one of the following materials:the second solid solution including at least one element selected from alkaline earth element and transition metal element, and an intermetallic element including at least one element selected from alkaline earth element and transition metal element.
 6. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid phase A comprises silicon, and said solid phase B comprises nickel silicides.
 7. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein a percentage content of the solid phase B in said composite particle ranges between 40 and 95 weight %.
 8. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 6, wherein said composite particle has the following dimensions:average particle size: 1-40 μm specific surface area: 0.01-10 m² ·g⁻¹.
 9. The negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 7, wherein said composite particle has the following dimensions:average particle size: 1-40 μm specific surface area: 0.01-10 m² ·g⁻¹.
 10. The negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 6, wherein said solid phase A has a particle surface, and wherein said solid phase A exposes on said particle surface 5-40% of an overall surface area of the particle.
 11. The negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 1, wherein a volumetric expansion during insertion of lithium in said solid phase B is smaller than that of said solid phase A.
 12. The negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprise as defined in claim 1, wherein the expansion and shrink in solid phase A during charging and discharging is suppressed by covering the surface of said solid phase A partly or fully with said solid phase B whose volumetric expansion and shrink during insertion and extraction of lithium is smaller than that of said solid phase A.
 13. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and non-aqueous electrolyte, whereinsaid negative electrode comprises a negative electrode material comprising: a composite particle comprising: a core formed by a solid phase A, and a solid phase B wrapping, at least partially, said core formed by solid phase A, wherein said solid phase A comprises one of the following material: at least one element being able to alloy with lithium, a solid solution including said element being able to alloy with lithium, and an intermetallic compound including said element being able to alloy with lithium, wherein said solid phase B has a different component from the solid phase A and comprising one of the following materials: a second intermetallic compound including said element being able to alloy with lithium, wherein both of said solid phase A and said solid phase B are free of elemental lithium.
 14. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein said composite particle is solidified and deposited by peritectic phenomenon.
 15. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein said solid phase B is a mixed conductor having electronic conductivity and lithium ionic conductivity.
 16. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein said solid phase A comprises one of the following materials:at least one of elements being able to alloy with lithium including, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth, a solid solution including said element being able to alloy with lithium, an intermetallic compound including said element being able to alloy with lithium.
 17. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein said solid phase B comprises one of the following materials:a solid solution including at least one element selected from alkaline earth element and transition metal element, and an intermetallic element including at least one element selected from alkaline earth element and transition metal element.
 18. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein said solid phase A comprises silicon, and said solid phase B comprises nickel silicides.
 19. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein a percentage content of the solid phase B in said composite particle ranges between 40 and 95 weight %.
 20. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 18, wherein said composite particle has the following dimensions:average particle size: 1-40 μm, specific surface area: 0.01-10 m² ·g⁻¹.
 21. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 19, wherein said composite particle has the following dimensions:average particle size: 1-40 μm, specific surface area: 0.01-10 m² ·g⁻¹.
 22. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 18, wherein said solid phase A exposes on the particle surface 5-40% of an overall surface area of the particle.
 23. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 24. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 14, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 25. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 15, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 26. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 16, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 27. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 17, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 28. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 18, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 29. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 19, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 30. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 20, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 31. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 21, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 32. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 22, wherein carbon powder is added to said material of the negative electrode within a range of 5 to 80 weight %.
 33. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein a volumetric expansion during insertion of lithium in said solid phase B is smaller than that of said solid phase A.
 34. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as defined in claim 13, wherein the expansion and shrink in solid phase A during charging and discharging is suppressed by covering the surface of said solid phase A partly or fully with said solid phase B whose volumetric expansion and shrink during insertion and extraction of lithium is smaller than that of said solid phase A.
 35. A negative electrode material for a battery, comprising:a silicon core which is free of elemental lithium; anda layer of NiSi2 which is free of elemental lithium at least partially wrapped around said core.
 36. A negative electrode material for a battery according to claim 35, wherein said silicon core is a solid solution.
 37. A negative electrode material for a battery according to claim 35, wherein said layer is an intermetallic compound.
 38. A negative electrode for a battery, comprising:a core including a first material selected from the group consisting of an element which alloys with Li; anda layer at least partially around said core, wherein said core and said layer are free of elemental lithium.
 39. A negative electrode for a battery according to claim 38, further comprising a second material which includes said first material wherein said first material differs from said second material. 